Idlewild South/Abraxas
On The Turnable features quite a treat this weekend. This very weekend, 50 years ago, two classic lps were released on the same day … Both lps were sophomore lps … niether disappointed … The Allman Brothers Band “Idlewild South” and Santana “Abraxas” are now considered rock hierarchy pressed to vinyl ….
Idlewild South
Idlewild South is the second album by the Allman Brothers Band. The album was released this very weekend in 1970, by Atco Records and Capricorn Records. The album was recorded gradually over a five month period while the band was touring to promote their debut album from the previous year. I did not discover the Allman Brothers Band until Eat A Peach … However, if you are going to listen to this band … the first four lp are mandatory additions to your collection.
Upon its release, this lp failed to achieve success … the band embarked on a 300 show tour in 1970 to promote the lp and set the stage for their breakout “Live From The Fillmore” album in 1971. The album contains two of their most popular songs … “Midnight Rider” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers Idlewild South as the 46th best lp of 1970 … Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranked the album #40 on it’s top 100 of 1970.
Abraxas
Unlike Idlewild South, this is an lp that I have owned since its release … Abraxas is the second studio album by Santana. It was also released this very weekend in 1970. The unorthodox mix of rock, jazz, salsa, and blues makes this a very special lp. I have owned this on every format at one time or another, and totally wore out the 8-track tape …. The two biggest records, “Black Magic Woman” and “Oyo Como Va” are both covers …. I am sucker for a good cover tune.
The album was ranked at 207 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list …. It is also listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers Abraxas as the 19th best lp of 1970 and the 122nd of the 1970’s … Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranked Abraxas at #12 on its Top 100 list of 1970 …. This is an lp that finds time on my turntable multiple times every year and has done so for 50 years.
Catch both “Idlewild South” and “Abraxas” in their entirety, without interruption, Saturday at 6 pm and rewound Sunday at 7 am. On The Turntable airs on The Rewind 97.7/1330. Listen on-the-air, on line @ www.kvol1330.com and on The Rewind App.